Where were you in 1991?

Month: June 2017

As of about five minutes ago, I’m on QRS (quick response standby.) It’s a strange feeling not knowing where in the world you might end up, if you get called out. I typically don’t like standby but I especially don’t like it this time around because I’m concerned about missing the LA trip. I really need to get there and see David. Talking on the phone and writing and receiving letters is all very well and good but it’s nothing like being right there with that person.

Dropped dad off at Heathrow on my way here so he could fly up to Scotland. According to mum, Granda’s condition is rapidly deteriorating and mum, usually the most optimistic person ever, said she isn’t holding out much hope that Granda will make a recovery.

I feel so sorry for my dad. No sooner had I dropped him off at the terminal, when I burst into tears. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for him knowing the purpose of his journey is to see his ailing Father in a nursing home.

Granda is my last remaining grandparent and just writing that makes me cry even more.

Went shopping with mum with the idea of buying stuff for my new house but instead I found lots of clothes that I just had to have! Can’t believe how expensive house stuff is. I might be better off buying in America, where even Crate & Barrel prices are less than what we saw today.

When we came home, dad said crewing were looking for me so I rang them back. Unfortunately, I got some bloke who had the personality of a snail (apologies to the snail lovers!)

I’m so looking forward to moving into my house where I’ll be able to, for example, stay on the phone with David for as long as I want with the freedom to say whatever we want, without mum lurking about!

“Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Not today,” he said. “My flight got in just before midnight.”

“Oh wow, that’s late. By the way, before I forget, Crystal had no clue when you were due back.”

“Crystal is no longer with the company.”

“Aw, how sad. Not!”

He laughed. “She lasted two days longer than most of the others.”

“That doesn’t say much for them. You need to hire some middle-aged fuddy-duddy who can actually talk to your clients without chewing gum and using the word like every few seconds.”

“Great advice,” he said, no doubt smiling.

“Then again, such an animal may not exist in your neck of the woods.”

“I think you’d be surprised.”

“Well from what I’ve seen, everybody is young and beautiful in LA.”

“Thanks honey,” he chuckled.

“Oh aren’t you funny. Anyway, where were you?”

“Delhi.”

“Ugh, such a long flight.”

“It wasn’t so bad.”

“I thought you weren’t going away until the end of July?”

“That was the plan but we had a crisis in Delhi and I’m the only unmarried with no kids guy in our department.”

“So they sent you!”

“Yup but my boss felt so bad that he authorized a First class ticket, which cost more than I make in a month.”

“Mental prices. Did you fly First both ways?”

“I certainly did!”

“Jammy bugger.”

I loved the way he couldn’t speak for laughing, which in turn gave me the giggles.

Obviously, I must have been suffering from a severe bout of jet lag when I made this morning’s early appointment at the doctor’s. All I needed was a new prescription for the pill, which is a joke considering the few occasions when I’ve required “Protection.”

Spent the afternoon with Lulu I used to work with when we were bored secretaries. She has since moved into the “Mummy Zone,” which, from where I sat today (literally!) looks exhausting. Her little girl Nat is really sweet but the amount of attention kids require appears well above my capabilities. I don’t think I could cope with more than one child and of course writing that I can only think of Granny and the fifteen babies she gave birth to.

Mum and I went to see “Stanley & Iris,” which we both enjoyed. Jane Fonda and Robert De Niro had great chemistry and I know they’re actors but regardless, I think you can tell when they actually like each other.

If I was looking from the outside in, I’d observe that David and I have good chemistry. And with my new prescription filled, I plan on putting that to the test on July 13th!

After clubbing ‘til the wee hours, I fantasized (all the way across the Atlantic!) about a quiet night in but I already told Christopher I’d be returning to the city, so I rang him to firm up the plans.

Caught a cab to Greenwich Village with Jane and Amanda (Caroline wanted to stay in and ring her new French beau.) Christopher and his friend Issac were already seated and no sooner had we sat down, when Issac ordered not one but three bottles of Champagne.

“One for each British beauty,” he said with a wink then began regaling us with tales of his work on Wall Street, most of which involved some type of what I’ll call, “Excess.” I couldn’t help but notice Amanda hanging on his every word and the fact that their bodies grew ever closer with each passing hour.

With Issac dominating the conversation, I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to Christopher, so once we were outside he asked if we’d like to continue on somewhere for a nightcap.

“That’s sweet of you, thanks,” Amanda said. “But Issac wants to take me to a jazz club so I’ll see you in the morning girls.”

Jane’s mouth fell open and I loved the smirk that flashed across Christopher’s face.

“You guys have a good night,” he said, as Issac and Amanda piled into the back seat of a yellow cab.

“Wow,” Jane uttered. “Didn’t she tell us just the other day how much she hates men?”

“Apparently not all of them,” I laughed.

“Should we follow them?” Christopher said, cracking up.

“If I wasn’t so tired I’d say yes but…”

“I’d say the same,” Jane said, “if last night hadn’t been so late.”

Christopher gave me a questioning look.

“We went out clubbing, long story, short sleep. By the way, thank you for dinner, Christopher.”

“Yes, thank you,” Jane said. “That place was amazing.”

“You’re welcome,” he said. “I’ve been coming here for years. So, are you guys heading back to the hotel?”

I looked at Jane. “Eh, yes, I am.”

“Me too,” she said, attempting to stifle a yawn.

“What time do you guys leave tomorrow?”

“Call time is four,” I said.

“Wanna grab some lunch before you head outta town?”

“I’d love to, where?”

“You pick.”

“Ehm, how about someplace in or around Central Park?”

“Sure,” he nodded. “And Jane, you’re welcome to join us.”

“That’s ok,” she said. “I think you two have some catching up to do.” Fortunately, Christopher was too busy hailing a cab to notice her comical expression. The cab pulled up and Jane and Christopher said their goodbyes.

“So,” he said, kissing my cheek. “When and where are we meeting?”

“By the Sophie Loeb fountain,” I said, sliding into the back seat beside Jane.

Christopher nodded his head and closed the door.

“At noon,” I said, sticking my head out the window, just as the cab pulled out.

It’s been a lovely day here in the North of England, both weather and enjoyment wise. And now I’m feeling rather stuffed after a delicious dinner and cocktails-a-plenty at a restaurant called Mamma Mia, located within walking distance of the hotel.

Landed in Manchester just after six this morning which meant plenty of time to sleep before meeting up with the girls tonight. In the interim, I rang mum, who I expected would want to dissect every detail about New York but that wasn’t the case because we ended up talking about Granda. Apparently, he isn’t doing well so dad will be heading to Scotland tomorrow to spend a few days with him. Poor Granda, he’s such a great character, I hope he’ll be alright.

Did a bit of shopping with the girls then we went to see a film called “Revenge,” that I really didn’t like as much as the others, but we were in agreement that Madeleine Stowe in indeed very beautiful. Amanda was drooling over Kevin Costner which is amusing, given the fact she continually mentions her dislike of the male species!

I love this hotel, it’s very elegant and the rooms are beautifully decorated but the best part is the bathroom and the giant bath that I think I might be lowering myself into sooner rather than later. It is, after all, only midnight!

Met the girls (Jane, Amanda and Caroline) for breakfast, over which we talked about love, men, love, men and eh, love! Jane is pretty cut up after breaking up with her boyfriend of seven years, Amanda is very single and has no desire to ever get married because, in her words; “Men are total dicks.” And then there’s Caroline who just started seeing a French guy she met in Los Angeles on a recently holiday.

The “Men and Love,” conversation continued in Central Park, perched on benches, trying our best to eat rapidly melting ice cream. We were all in agreement that of all the places we travel, New York on the East Coast and Los Angeles on the West, have the best-looking guys.

Speaking of hunky guys, I left a message on David’s answering machine and also tried him at work but his secretary, Crystal (aka valley girl) said he was; “Like, outta town, until, like, I think, like this weekend or like mun day.” I really must have a word with David about her!

Now winging our way to sunny Manchester (!) where we’ll spend two nights in Chester before returning to my second favourite American city.